Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | Oct 03, 2006 04:16pm | #1

   t4,

   What you can do is rout or shape (on a shaper) the molding by running the shaped edge of the stock against a ball bearing collar (or a ring, fixed to the table) that is concentric to the cutter.  Making moldings like these can be quite involved, requiring several different profiles, and multiple passes to remove the large amount of waste.   Describing how to do it would take more time and space than is available here, and pictures.   If you are in new territory here, you should get one of the many how-to shaper or router books on the market, and read up on the technique before running out to the shop and trying it.  The process has some risk involved, particularly with large cutters/ heavy cuts.  There is a chance of kickback, and stock blowing up, because often, part of the cut is run against the direction of the grain.  Have I scared you yet? 

   Depending on the size of the piece, the type of wood, and the size and profile of the molding, it may be as easy to carve the molding for a single project by hand. After all, that is how the French provincials would have done it.  I'd start by establishing any fillets, as a series of steps, with  a router and a flat bottomed bit.  This can be done fairly safely, freehand, working back from the  shaped edge to a serpentine line on the face of some fairly wide stock.  Then round over, or hollow out, the various molding profiles between the "steps".  Finally saw the molding loose from the waste.  It goes faster than you would think.  The returns (straight runs of molding applied to the case ends) can be routed or shaped as usual, against a fence.  Carve the serpentine piece to match.

   Regards,

   Ray Pine

1. 
   ret | Oct 03, 2006 06:52pm | #2

   Thanks Ray for your suggestions. I'll give it a shot.Wish me luck.

2. 
   cowtown | Nov 02, 2006 07:47am | #3

   for small amounts of mouldings, you can by all means remove as much excess stock by whatever means, router, shaper etc, but you can grind a cabinet scraper to the profile you need and use that to scrape down the moulding to final profile. A little elbow grease required to be sure, but an economicly effective method of producing this type of moulding.Eric